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sandosango · 2 years

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"Missing Piece"

Chapter 2: Till Death Do Us Part

“I’m heading out!”

“Just come back home before the sun goes down.” The stern owner of the kendo dojo answered as he saw his granddaughter already running out through the open screen doors.

Since Sango, more known now as Sansan now, became friends with two boys - Baji Keisuke and Sano Manjiro, her life has turned upside down.

The girl who usually spent most of her days sitting in the dojo with her grandfather, training, or just simply hanging around now barely could be found there. As soon as she ate breakfast and did her training, she didn't even bother to change out of her kendo practice clothes, she immediately ran towards the playground to meet with her playmates.

Both Sano and Baji treated her simply as a friend, they didn’t care that she was a girl nor that she was from another dojo.

She was just Sansan.

Some days they just played around on the swings and monkey bars, the other days they were talking about how their training is. Just simple things all kids did, nothing unusual, and yet every moment they spent together was so much fun for Sango. Once a lonely girl, now she just couldn’t imagine herself being alone, without any friends. Now she just wanted to learn more and more about both boys.

She knew more about Manjiro, to begin with. He was her neighbor after all. What she didn’t know before was that he has an older brother who is apparently lame and unpopular among girls.

Sansan always wondered how it is to have siblings, she even felt a little jealous of Manjiro because of that but right as she confessed feeling this way, the boy just laughed saying that he can lend her his brother if she wants, though apparently, he was often out of the house, doing god knows what.

Baji on the other hand was a single child, just like Sansan. More than anything, he loved animals. He even collected small figures of them from gacha machines, something that Sango made a mental note about, just in case she ever needed to give him some small present in the future. In Manjiro’s case she already knew that as long as she would give him snacks as a gift, the blonde boy would be happy.

Overall, Sansan was the happiest she could be and that’s what mattered the most.

That’s why right now as she was strolling towards the playground she barely could hold her excitement. Sano decided that today they will duel each other in the final battle of which they would decide which prodigy out of two of them, was as he said ‘prodigier'. Sango was pretty positive she would lose but she didn’t mind it at all. She was happy to just spend time with the boys. Also, she would never say it out loud, especially not anywhere where her grandpa could hear her but she found it more impressive when people were able to fight without any weapon, only with their fists and legs.

Finally, she has reached her destination - the playground.

Everything seemed to be in the right place. Everything but her friends. Usually, she was the one who arrived last, both of the boys were always waiting for her so for this to happen for the first time was quite strange and unexpected. Sango looked around to make sure they really aren’t there yet and once it was confirmed, she decided to wait for them on the bench. She didn’t mind waiting as long as no one would bother her in the meantime. But of course, some kids just couldn’t leave her alone.

“Hey, isn’t that Sando?”

Unfortunately, Sansan knew this voice.

It belonged to one of the boys who used to train in her grandpa’s dojo. He stopped coming there one day when Sango once again beat him in the duel. He threw a tantrum and just left. The girl felt a bit bad for him but her grandpa has assured her that ‘If the boy isn’t strong enough to deal with losing against someone, then he doesn’t deserve to train under me.’ These words were supposed to cheer her up and make sure that she knows she didn’t do anything wrong but it didn’t help much. Especially when that ended up being the accident that triggered all the bullying.

“You were right, Tatsu! There is no way that’s a girl! She doesn't look like one at all!” Another voice spoke up but Sansan didn’t have any strength to turn around and check to whom it belonged.

Not like it mattered, it was just another bully, she shouldn’t care about them anymore, she had real friends now. But… What if Baji and Sano stop playing with her because they’d rather hang around with other boys? What if they notice that she really isn’t that fun to play with?

“Right?” The boy Tatsu proudly said and laughed mockingly.

Sansan didn’t know what to do.

She gripped her bokuto tightly trying to find at least an ounce of courage to turn around and tell them off or straight out hit them with her wooden sword. That would be nice. Just causing them pain would feel good, wouldn’t it? After all, they were the ones who hurt her first, they deserved it, right? Her grandpa said it was okay to hit the bullies. Slowly dark thoughts started to cloud the young girl’s mind. She didn’t know where all of these violent ideas came from but the longer she stood there, the more she just wanted to beat them up until they weren’t able to talk at all. Then they wouldn’t say anything bad anymore, it would be good. Baji and Sano will never hear anything bad about her so she won’t have to worry about them not liking her anymore.

Somehow she tried to hold herself back from doing anything rash. She breathed slowly trying to calm herself down. Sango was nearly ready to just let it go and ignore the boys until one of them said something that broke her resolve to stay peaceful.

“Hey, Sando! No one likes ugly girls like you! You will be forever alone because no guy would want to marry you!”

That was it.

The breaking point. Sansan gripped her bokuto ready to turn around and slam it straight into both boys but before she could do anything, she heard yet another voice, the voice that she liked to hear because this voice belonged to her friend, Baji Keisuke.

“Well, I like Sansan a lot!” The black-haired boy proudly stated, making two other boys flinch from his loud voice.

Sango turned around to make sure that it was indeed her friend standing there in flesh and bones and not just her imagination playing tricks on her. It surely was Baji, still in his training uniform, clenching his small fist tightly, annoyed look visible on his face. Funny how just his presence was able to calm Sansan down and let her dark thoughts vanish in an instance. This boy wasn’t even aware of what influence he had on Sango but truth to be told, neither was she.

The girl was about to just walk towards her friend and take him away, leaving the other two behind but Keisuke wasn’t done talking. Not yet at least.

“And you know what? Just now I decided that I am going to marry Sansan in the future so I will have the most badass wife ever!” Baji stated in full confidence, his cheeks slightly reddened.

He looked up at Sansan who was also blushing at his bold statement. What girl wouldn’t when a boy out of nowhere basically proposed to her. Sango didn’t know if she was supposed to take Keisuke’s words seriously or if he was just saying that so those boys would leave her alone. She was fine either way, she was just glad that she wasn’t alone anymore, excluded by all the other kids. Baji didn’t care about how she looked, heck, he thought she was badass and that was a very strong compliment coming out from him. Suddenly she felt that she was being grabbed. Sansan didn’t even notice when Baji went past those two boys only to take her hand in his and start pulling her away from the playground.

“Let’s go, Sansan!” He tugged her small palm a little stronger to make her move and so she did. She didn’t think where they were going, she just wanted to be together with Baji, away from the bullies.

As they kept walking without any destination in mind, Keisuke spoke up. “You are way too nice, Sansan. Didn’t you say that your gramps told you to smack the bullies with your wooden sword? I would have done that for sure!”

Sango really wanted to beat those guys back then but she also felt that what she was about to do wasn’t just a simple smack.

She wanted to hurt them real bad, so they would never even think of coming anywhere near her again. She felt terrible for even thinking about doing it now but back then, it was as if she lost control over herself like her mind had been clouded, controlled by some dark being who didn’t want to show mercy to anyone. Sansan looked up at Baji. She couldn’t read his face as it was turned forward. Her friend didn’t know about any of her thoughts so he didn’t even know that in a way, he has saved her not only from the bullies but also from her own mind.

Of course, Sango herself wasn’t fully aware of that. All she was thinking about was how glad she was that Baji came at the perfect moment before she would do something really really bad.

“Umm… Baji?” Sansan finally broke the silence, making her friend stop walking and turning to face her, waiting for her to say something more. “Thank you for getting me away from those boys but… Where are we going exactly?”

Keisuke looked at her for a few seconds in silence as if he was processing the words of his friend until finally, the realization hit him. “Oh! I have no idea! Hahaha!”

Most people would probably call Baji dumb at that moment but not Sango. She liked his wild side, he was spontaneous all the time, you never knew what to expect from him. It was fun just being with him.

Sansan looked around checking if she even knew where they were. Thankfully Baji didn’t take her anywhere far. She immediately recognized the convenience store that she often visited with her dad when they had to buy some food. Suddenly she remembered some pocket money her grandpa gave her. “Wait for me here, I will be back in a second!” Sansan said to her black-haired friend and she ran towards the shop.

The boy stood where Sansan left him confused. Not knowing what to do but also not wanting to stand like a dummy in the middle of the sidewalk, he decided to just sit and wait for his friend on the nearby bench that he spotted. Not even five minutes have passed as he notices the automatic door of the convenience store opening, showing Sansan happily walking towards him.

Once she sat down on the same bench, on his right side, she revealed a single popsicle. “I didn’t have enough to buy two, so I took the one that we could split!”

Keisuke didn’t mind sharing. Sure, it was nice to have a bigger frozen treat but for this one, he didn’t have to pay himself, Sansan got it for him and herself, that was nice enough. Plus, who didn’t like the most simple ramune flavored popsicle?

“Ooh! Thanks, Sansan!”

Sango carefully ripped the package open revealing the blue frozen treat.

She took both sticks in her hands and broke the popsicle in half with perfect precision. The girl smiled warmly at her friend as she handed him one of the halves. “It’s a thank you for standing up to me back there, Baji.” She looked at the boy who was fully enjoying his sweet snack. Then she looked forward, watching as the trees were swaying with the wind. “You don’t have to marry me if you don’t want to, though. I won’t mind.” She shyly added after a while.

Baji turned his head towards Sansan and once she locked her eyes on him too he said in a serious tone “Well, I already decided to marry you so from now on you are my wife!” Then his face turned into a slightly annoyed one. “That means no other guy can hold your hand or even hug you, get it? Not even Sano!”

Sango’s face turned into a darker shade of red but looking at Baji she also couldn’t help but giggle. Despite how serious he was saying it, even though they were still kids, he already decided on such an important thing. “Ha ha ha, okay!” She simply answered as they continued to enjoy their popsicle.

Only after a while, Sansan realized something. “Hey, Baji…”

“Hm? What is it?”

“Why wasn’t Sano with you?” She turned around to face him.

“Ah, his grandpa wanted to talk about something with him and his brother so he told me he will join us later.”

Sansan kept staring at her friend. “So he was going to come to the playground too, right?”

“Yeah!”

“So he is probably there now waiting for us… Right?”

“Yeah, probably…”

Baji was sitting on the bench playing with the popsicle stick uncaring until the realization hit him. “Oh no! He is waiting for us! Come on Sansan!” He took her hand in his and started running back in the direction where the playground was. “Let’s just tell him we were racing while waiting for him!” He yelled as he kept running and pulling Sansan with him. “Also don’t tell him about the popsicle, he will keep pouting!”

Sansan just couldn’t help but laugh as she ran with her friend. It was on this day she realized that her friends didn’t care about what others said about her. It was also the day when she became the wife of her self-proclaimed husband, Baji Keisuke.

#tokyo revengers oc #tokyo revengers #baji #baji keisuke #keisuke baji #oc #tokrev oc #tr oc #baji tokyo revengers #manjiro sano #mikey tokyo revengers

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snowe-zolynn-rogers · 3 years

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Pairings: Past Aizawa/Mandalay

Word Count: 1,9218 Words

Summary: The Sports Festival, part 1.

Warnings: Food Mention, Death Mention, Caps, Cursing, Teen Pregnancy, Fighting Mention, let me know if I should tag anything else.

Usernames: Existence Is A Prison Aizawa: feral cat dad, Aoyama: gay salt, Hagakure: ranch flavored jello, Tokoyami: foil-mecha, Shinsou: farmer toshi, Kuroiro: life is a nightmare, Shiozaki: saviour, Tsunotori: schrodinger better run, Honenuki: pure, Monoma: nat20, Yamada: President Megaphone, Bakugou: deku-deck-you

Aizawa, We Agreed No More Cats: Chapter 8

7:00 AM

Existence Is A Prison

gay salt: Tokoyami, I know it's the sports festival and all today, but you didn't need to bring everyone sandos and sports drinks again.

foil-mecha: Thing is, I didn't.

farmer toshi: No, no, because my whole class has sandos and sports drinks on their desks too. And I heard the other Gen Ed classes causing a ruckus over them too. Seems like someone put sando throughout the whole school.

feral cat dad: That would be me. I'm not letting any of you kids go without eating during a major sports event where you'll likely get injured and your bodies need fuel to fight and I won't let you not eat.

feral cat dad: My old Gen Ed teacher, Miss Rin, began this tradition of giving out sandos and water at the gate to students on the day of the Sports Festival. Nezu sanctioned of course, since he refused to allow her to pay for it herself. And now it's carried on through me since she passed on a few years ago.

ranch flavored jello: That's actually really sweet, Dad.

feral cat dad: If you tell anyone it was me who put them out, I'll make you clean the roof level.

ranch flavored jello: We have a roof level?

feral cat dad: You guys didn't know the dorms have roof access?

ranch flavored jello: Well, now we do. Where even are the stairs to it?

feral cat dad: Literally next to my room, I don't know how you haven't found them.

deku deck-you: It's the door next to his room, Toru. Even I found it. You've been here five more days than me.

ranch flavored jello: I THOUGHT THAT WAS A BROOM CLOSET!

feral cat dad: Oh my gods, these kids will be the end of me.

8:30 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: God help me being alone with this idiot.

feral cat dad: I'm using this chat for extra commentary because there are things I can't say on live national television commentary so they'll all be said here.

feral cat dad: Oh god, Katsuki, no. Don't slander our name.

feral cat dad: Please.

feral cat dad: GOD DAMMIT

feral cat dad: Obstacle Course? Fuck.

feral cat dad: Most proud of my son managing to evade Todoroki's ice despite never dealing with it before.

feral cat dad: Also, Todoroki, who hurt you as a child? That was purposeful so nobody could catch up!

feral cat dad: Get it, Pikachu.

feral cat dad: I'm proud of my gremlin children.

feral cat dad: I'm not paid enough to make commentary on this obstacle.

feral cat dad: Except for my son. I care about my ground-bound son getting across the pit to Tartarus shit.

feral cat dad: Gods, mines. I remember those landmines. I hate those things. They almost made me temporarily blind during my second year Sports Festival.

feral cat dad: What the FUCK Midoriya!?

8:45 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: Alright you're probably in the break room for the twenty five minute break by now. Katsuki, what's wrong with your arms? You were holding them.

deku deck-you: Just a lot of work. Overworking. I guess it can't be helped, this is why I have so much wrist support in my hero costume, to help keep my hands from feeling cramped from the explosions.

feral cat dad: Come up to the box, I'll shut old parakeet up if he tries to speak.

deku deck-you: Why?

feral cat dad: I have some ibuprofen, come take two, it should help the pain at least.

deku deck-you: Thank you.

9:00 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: Am I allowed to ask why Vlad King is taking care of a small child when he, in fact, doesn't have children?

feral cat dad: Just realized I won't get an answer because you all made it to the next round. I'm so proud but dammit, now I'm curious.

9:20 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: I...What?

feral cad dad; I hate the cavalry battle, that was difficult to keep track of. I don't know how Hizashi does it.

schrodinger better run: Obviously, the answer is very carefully.

feral cat dad: I'm sorry you didn't make it through, Pony. I have candy if you want some.

schrodinger better run: Thank you! I'll stop by and grab it on my way to lunch.

feral cat dad: If you're going to meet back up with your class, text me why there's a child.

schrodinger better run: There's a child?

feral cat dad: smallchildinvladkingsarms.jpg

schrodinger better run: He looks a lot like Tokage.

9:30 AM

Existence Is A Prison

ranch flavored jello: Mr. Aizawa, this is Mina, Toru's busy crying so she asked me to ask you. Mineta and Kaminari are telling us 1a girls that you instructed we wear the cheerleader uniforms for the afternoon. What should we tell them?

feral cat dad: Tell them they have three weeks of detention each to look forward to and don't wear those fucking uniforms.

schrodinger better run: Okay, so apparently the kid's here because Tokage brought him in? I still don't have a full explanation, but his name is Mitsu and he's 2 years old.

feral cat dad: Okay. So Tokage brought her little brother or something?

nat20: I'm not so sure about that. He just called her Mama.

feral cat dad: So Tokage has a son?

nat20: It seems like it.

feral cat dad: Oh, Nezu won't be happy about this. He wanted any young parents to report to him after the opening ceremony and alert him if they had any children so they would stay in the dorms.

nat20: To be fair, it would seem Tokage would be the only one out of all the first year classes, so it might have been too much pressure to fit in. Or she may even just has help enough at home that she didn't feel she needed to tell anyone.

feral cat dad: He'll still be mad. Believe me, he'll at least force her to accept a UA fund card so she doesn't need to work to support the baby.

saviour: We got to talking and, apparently, she gives him to a daycare while she's at school and she picks him up when she leaves school.

feral cat dad: Yup, she'll probably be moved on campus if she's not having her family take care of the baby during the day. Nezu's very adamant that his students have help if they're struggling.

10:45 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: Alright, so Shinsou against Rikamaru Kana from the Support Course. I don't know if this will be easy for him.

nat20: I am offended Kendo thinks so little of me.

feral cat dad: Why?

nat20: She said I'm perverse! And, when I asked her about it after, she said it's because I wear the girls' uniform sometimes. She thinks I'm some pervert trying to invade the girl's bathroom to creep on them.

nat20: I swear I haven't, Mr. Aizawa, I've never even gone into the girls restrooms, I use the men's or the one in Recovery Girl's office. And I change in the men's locker room. Tetsutetsu will tell you, he's guarded me before when I was uncomfortable changing.

feral cat dad: Don't worry, kid, I believe you. Come up to the box, you need a hug. I'll talk to Kendo if you want.

nat20: Please.

10:50 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: Oh my god, he actually did it. I'm so proud, Shinsou.

schrodinger better run: Shinsou fucking yeeted her.

life is a nightmare: Equal opportunity yeeting.

feral cat dad: Next up is Hatsume vs Tokoyami.

nat20: I hope Tokoyami does well next.

11:00 AM

Existence Is A Prison

feral cat dad: Tokoyami, I'm proud of you for being a good sport and helping her up after.

foil-mecha: I'm nothing if not a gentleman. Plus, when she fell down, she sprained her ankle. It's the least I can do to help her to Recovery Girl.

farmer toshi: I'm betting a grocery shop tonight that Ashido's going to win against Midoriya next.

feral cat dad: Be careful kid, you might eat those words.

11:10 AM

Existence Is A Prison

farmer toshi: Fine, I guess I'm getting dinner. And I'm also very happy Toru won against Iida.

feral cat dad: That's if you don't get injured. Remember, there's now two people you know against you.

ranch flavored jello: I still can't believe I won against Iida, honestly.

feral cat dad: Well, Shiozaki is against Shizuka Inei next. A Gen Ed Course student.

nat20: Do you know him, Hitoshi?

farmer toshi: Kind of hard to miss someone when they're that fucking loud all the time.

foil-mecha: Is that son of a bitch harassing Ibara?

nat20: I have lost faith in humanity. How dare a peasant's filthy hands touch our Ibara.

farmer toshi: Yeah, I'd defend my classmate in it being an accident if I didn't know that Shizuka is a blatant misogynists.

feral cat dad: I'll fight him. Disgusting little trash.

life is a nightmare: And HE gets to advance while our Ibara loses? Unacceptable.

feral cat dad: The Min*ta of class 1c.

11:25 AM

Existence Is A Prison

nat20: Thank goodness Kiyomi's advancing. I do feel bad she'll be fighting a misogynist though.

pure: I felt kind of bad about it, I didn't really want to fight our Akari!

nat20: I'm sure Akari understands and also didn't want to fight you either, but you two can't just refuse to fight because you're friends or you'd both be either disqualified or forced to fight by now.

gay salt: No ill will is held on my end, Kiyomi! I think our fight was rather fun!

pure: Okay, as long as you promise you're not mad.

gay salt: I'm not, I'm proud of you, mon amor.

nat20: Any bets on Kaminari here?

farmer toshi: I'll bet on Pikachu winning.

schrodinger better run: I'll bet a grocery trip that Fujioka wins.

life is a nightmare: That would be the furthest a Business Course student would have gotten in the Sports Festival.

schrodinger better run: I'll still bet on him.

feral cat dad: Well, you were wrong, Pony.

schrodinger better run: All as well. I didn't expect Fujioka to have an equip quirk, to be fair.

feral cat dad: Next is Tokage vs Fukumura from General Studies.

saviour: Let's go Tokage!

11:30 AM

Existence Is A Prison

deku deck-you: Is Tokage okay? I heard she passed out.

feral cat dad: She's overworked and malnourished from what Recovery Girl will tell me when I ask and Nezu is speaking with Tokage and asking her what got her to this.

feral cat dad: I

feral cat dad: I don't think I'm at liberty to discuss her tragic backstory with you guys, sadly. But she'll tell you when she moves into the dorms tonight.

11:35 AM

Existence Is A Prison

farmer toshi: Todoroki, aka Mr. Overboard. Poor Sero.

farmer toshi: Oh god, I might need to fight Mr. Daddy Issues.

farmer toshi: Gods help me.

foil-mecha: To be fair, he'd have to get through three brackets to get to you and he'd be fighting you in the three-way fight.

ranch flavored jello: He'd have to get past Katsuki too.

deku deck-you: He won't.

feral cat dad: Alright then, Mr. Overconfident.

Taglist: @everythingisstardust

#mha #bnha #my hero academia #boku no hero academia #aoyama yuuga #fumikage tokoyami #shinsou hitoshi #aizawa shouta #hagakure tooru #katsuki bakugou #pony tsunotori #monoma neito #ibara shiozaki #kuroiro shihai #juzo honenuki #snoweywrites #aizawa we agreed no more cats au

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lucidentia-sb · 6 years

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Drawing breath

Simon Baker on the ocean, identity and making Breath

In the second instalment of my conversation with The Mentalist star and now feature film director Simon Baker, he discusses with me the casting and rehearsal process with Ben Spence and Samson Coulter for Breath, the details in the costume design by Terri Lamera, Elizabeth Debicki's Eva as Sando's girlfriend, the danger of Klaus Kinski in Loonie, fairy tales about boys in search of fear, Simon's renewed "relationship with the ocean", and his remembrance of "when I outgrew my stepfather."

"Surrender is what frees you up," surfing champion Sando (Simon Baker) teaches teenagers Pikelet (Samson Coulter) and Loonie (Ben Spence), while he himself, as it turns out, can only follow through with his own maxim to a certain extent. When you live your life "like someone who didn't believe in death," a structural switch occurs. The unspoken trade between the boys - although a lot is shared verbally with each other while they ride their bikes - is this: I give you some of my stability, you give me a hunk of freedom. And vice versa.

A detail in Sando's suede jacket becomes visible to us just at the moment his young pals, definitely one of them, discover their idol's imperfection. His surface is cracked. The façade cannot hold. This fragile deal only functioned for a while.

Anne-Katrin Titze: The jacket your character Sando is wearing when you return from your travels - that's the first time we see the hole in the jacket.

Simon Baker: Oh really?

AKT: I thought that was very subtle costume design. It's a denim or corduroy jacket.

SB: Yeah, there was a corduroy jacket. The hole in the jacket is the jacket when Pikelet doesn't get in the car. It's like a suede jacket with shearling on it. That's the first time I wear that.

AKT: Oh, I see. But the fact that there's a hole in the jacket at that point is perfect.

SB: I like that. Here's the thing - is that because of the way the film is structured and there is a lot of detail stuff - what I find interesting is that you kind of educate your audience how to watch a film. You know, in the first 15 or 20 minutes.

And then, hopefully, they're engaged in that process so that you can take bigger leaps. And they will go there with you. And they'd still also be looking for more detail. And you are obviously a very observant audience member because you are looking for things that are very specific.

AKT: Well, in this case, it means the sheen is gone. At that point Sando is no longer what he was. There are holes in Pikelet's way of perceiving him.

SB: Pikelet's perception of him has changed. Pikelet now sees him for what he is.

AKT: Yeah.

SB: And exactly, he is not this guru, this sun god to worship anymore. He's slightly pathetic. And Pikelet sees that he's kind of pathetic. And Loonie kind of gets a little whiff of it in that scene at the same time. And as you realize, as he says goodbye to Pikelet, "You got your own thing, now piss off." As Sando drives away, the first thing he does is look at Loonie to see if he's still … if he's seen the weakness in him.

AKT: It's all there in the glances and the props. The film is a lot about father figures.

SB: It's a lot about that. I mean, it's a big thing for me.

AKT: You have a scene where the other father - I am saying other father, I mean Pikelet's biological father [played by Richard Roxburgh], is seen potting plants and going fishing with his son. And then he goes surfing with the other father figure. Both connecting to water in drastically different ways. It gives a nice structure and makes it possible for us to go beyond the literal meanings. But you were saying the father theme is a big thing for you?

SB: It's a big thing for me in the sense that I remember very clearly when I outgrew my stepfather. And I couldn't communicate with him anymore. You know, I had sort of outgrown him. And in a lot of ways, Pikelet outgrows Sando and no longer has that possibility to communicate with him.

And Sando has the choice to evolve but doesn't. He acknowledges the courage it takes for Pikelet to say "No" and not want to go. But he still doesn't allow Pikelet to help him develop. Sando has an opportunity there to develop and he doesn't do it.

AKT: And he lives in what feels like a tree house.

SB: Yeah. I mean when I talk about that, I'm talking about in the sense that when I was growing up in this world that I've created in the film, there is this masculine sort of stereotype. And this ideal that is created and has solidified in Australian culture. Particularly around that period of time.

And I wanted to create that as authentically as possible but then subvert it. So that the perceived identity or prescribed identity is something that you can fight against. Or stand up against.

AKT: You are losing your voice. Do you want one of these? [I am handing Simon a Ricola Original Swiss Natural Herb Cough Drop I happen to have in my bag].

SB: Thank you. I love these! And Pikelet does that in that moment. And him doing that, fighting against that prescribed identity - he finds who he really is. And the strength in that.

AKT: The woman's name is Eve. Eva?

SB: Eva.

AKT: Elizabeth Debicki is very good in that role. Of course she is representing something else too, but she is also very much just a person. A person who is choking herself.

SB: Metaphorical, yeah. She has a great loss of her own identity that she's struggling with as well. I mean, who she was has been stripped away from her and she's obviously really not sure about who she is anymore. She's not sure how to live as the person who can't do those things. She has this desperate need for risk and danger and feeling afraid. She can't quench that thirst in any other way than what she's doing.

AKT: Because it is that destabilising idea that she needs in her life, that dangerous element. "Surrender is what frees you up," is one of the noteworthy lines. It's something to think about. Is it really? Is that it?

SB: I mean, yeah. Look, it's a big thing for me. In so many ways. To even to be able to take on this film is about surrendering to it, you know?

AKT: There are these classic tales, fairy tales about boys in search of fear. I don't know if you are familiar with them; there are some in the collection by the Brothers Grimm.

SB: Oh yeah, yeah.

AKT: In one we get to know about the family background, a father with two sons. One son is considered the smart one and the other, the one who doesn't know what fear is, is treated as incurably stupid and it is said that he will always be a burden to his father.

Anyway, he goes out to learn what fear is because he cannot feel fear. I was thinking of him in connection to Loonie. The family background, the search for love and also that search for fear. That makes him almost a classic fairy tale hero, almost.

SB: Yes, he has got equal parts danger and vulnerability about him. He's kind of a by-product. He is such a tragic character.

AKT: He is.

SB: And the writing is kind of on the wall early for that character.

AKT: And you go there, into the dark place, which I really liked. You did not not go there what you proposed from the first scene. In parts he reminded me, maybe also be cause of the blond hair, of Klaus Kinski.

SB: Oh really? Yeah, right, Klaus Kinski had that danger too, right?

AKT: Yes, very much. The boys are great.

SB: Neither of them had ever acted before.

AKT: They jumped out at you right away during casting?

SB: Yeah. Well, it took a while. It took a year to find them. It was a long process.

AKT: They are so good together.

SB: That was just creating the right environment for them. We had a ten-day workshop, a sort of ten-day rehearsal period, so that they got a lot more time to spend together. And during that ten-day rehearsal period, every morning we'd go surfing together. And then we'd work and play around and then I'd take them to the different locations.

As they were building the Sando house or showing them things, basically getting them on track because they had no real kind of yardstick or measure of understanding what the experience of making a film was going to be like. They were incredibly brave. They threw themselves into it.

AKT: Surrendered?

SB: Yeah.

AKT: Did your relationship to surfing change with making this film or did it remain the same?

SB: No. Same. I mean it's always been the same. If anything, maybe during the process of making the film, leading up to making the film, the development of it, I thought a lot more about my relationship with the ocean.

And really as opposed to just doing it. What water really meant to me, and what it has meant over different periods of my life. And being more mindful of how who I am is affected by my connection to it.

AKT: Thank you so much. I'll let you breathe.

SB: Thank you.

#breath film #simon baker #interview #breath the movie

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dhellski · 4 years

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A life with a Father, a real father: A tribute to Rev. Fr. Erasmo “Sonny” Ramirez OP.

October 10, 2020: Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfurnished in the sight of my God. Revelation 3.2.

It saddened me today when I heard the news that you’re gone, our beloved Rev. Fr. Sonny Ramirez. It’s a shame I didn’t pay a visit when I know I can – I have never forgotten you in my heart, for all the good deeds you have shared not only to me and my family, but to thousands of people who have believed in you. May your soul rest in Peace. You are in our thoughts and Prayers.

My first encounter

It was year 2000, after my high school when I decided to seek my fortune in Manila and to be with Fr. Sonny, whom i considered at first, unknown and totally not even in the table of consanguinity. He is a total stranger to me, but God has already planned that for me, He made that person I called “a stranger” as an instrument who will change my life in both physical and spiritual aspects.

My impression to him was very remarkable as it’s my first time to see a big priest in a “short and sando” but with a huge voice echoing all over the house – asking to call someone on the phone. I can vividly remember how he introduced me to everybody that I am a brother of Dheo (who was with him for I think 2 years before I came in) and just had no idea and doesn’t know anything about Manila. Grabe ka sa akin Father, nakakaluwas po ako ng Manila yearly. Haha. So that introduction made me calmed and settled for the day. I am an observer and if I am not mistaken, I was the last scholar who joined his foundation at that time of the year, for 4 years. So, I wouldn’t have a basis and observation of how a new person’s reaction, being new to the foundation.

I am a promdi and not used to live with other people in the same house, yes, we were like 19? (I can’t recall) scholars at that time. But I settled in quickly because I felt the spirit of being a family with a Father Sonny and so many mothers – our Titas, who are very supportive of Father Sonny and who loved us just like their own children.

Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Edition in 2000

The life in the foundation is like in the PBB, “Ang Teleserye ng Totoong Buhay”. Way back then, my housemates were from different provinces, with different personalities, dialects, perception in life but with only one goal – to finish college and support our own families back home. We were divided into two (2) houses and the only difference from PBB was that, there were no cameras and what makes us bonded; faith in God, trust to each other and respect Father to the best way we can, even if we only see him on a weekend. There were no auditions, but he has this great big heart and he knows who to put people, right for his foundation.

Our setup was the same concept as PBB, we have chores assigned, routines every day, and schooling we need to focus on. I remember waking up early in the morning to pray the rosary, clean the house, prepare food for everyone, washing the dishes, laundry, and during our free time, we still clean the house. Haha. On Wednesday, we go to Baclaran Church and so as on Friday to Quiapo Church then Saturday for Bible Quiz show and Sunday TV Mass at RPN 9. Our directives were coming from directly from Father, we obey his rules, and follows his instructions even we know it’s the same but given every time and all over again. Haha

We had the unboxing show before, he loves taking his religious stuff out from the bodega every week, unpack then repack it again. It can’t be live as during the unpacking time, he would normally fall asleep, wait for him to wake up and then our work continues – it’s our fun times as we would know his awake when his snore stops. Haha Father, you were like a living alarm clock!

We felt like we are chef of our own house, we are the ones deciding what food we will serve to everyone. Name it, as we are from different provinces, we prepare our own delicacies and give our best, so everybody enjoys our food – but not me, haha I don’t even cook that time. Ginisang corned beef sa relpolyo, sardines with papaya, and all the cooks of corned beef! We have meat and fish but you know, it’s more exciting when you don’t know what’s the verdict of what you up to – at least damay-damay na!

I must say, nothing compares “Mompo” and “Oscha” together, we are sorry Father but we drink it with oscha on the side (these haven’t been blessed). I am not proud of this doing but as an excuse, at least it’s not a regular liquor for drinkers.

I thought to be independent and built my camaraderie within the foundation. Father taught us to be on our own, make our own decisions and face the reality in life. We are in the depth of trying out new things and make believe in ourselves for whatever future endeavours may bring us. Together with our perseverance and guidance from Father and his supporters around us, we will be ready to face the next chapter of our lives, outside his house and foundation.

My firs job as Production Coordinator

We are not forced to follow his path and become a Priest or a Nun. We have the freedom to choose what course we would like to take and so as the school we would like to be with. How lucky we are, aren’t we? I am very grateful and had a very vast experience when I was with the foundation. When I first joined the foundation, I was like an ordinary scholar who would want to just finish college and then go and have my own life after. I didn’t realize that, with the exposures and experiences I have gained during my time, it will be my advantage of becoming who I am right now. In every good deeds and blessings we received, it’s up on us how we will repay even in our own little way, and having said that, I am contributing to the foundation to solicit money not for my own consumption, but for the entire scholars of the foundation. Being in a foundation, we are wearing so many hats, from being a scholar, housemates, coordinator of the show, a friend, and a good follower of God through Father.

I considered it my first job because I am owning it. Father will give you a task not to test you but to assure you that you will be ready in the future. I am inviting communities to sponsor the Sunday TV Mass we aired at RPN 9, and the exposure of talking to them, inviting them in the show was a very good experience at the age of 17! I never thought it’s where my career started, grateful that I was trained of a boss with a big heart and will encourage you to step up and focus on your strength, and let your failures be the guide to a better move in life.

Perks in the foundation

Common, meeting celebrities face-to-face, get a chance to know some of prominent personalities in the Philippines. He is the spiritual adviser of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and so I was able to get inside Malacanang on face value. Yikes! Mel Mathay, Boots Anson-Roa, Christopher De Leon, Sandy Andolong, Ian Venracion, Fernando Poe Jr, Rudy Fernandez, Phillip Salvador, Jaime Rivera, and so many others. I am glad that I can sit with them over dinner, talk to them like nobody – we’re like a family.

We have tons of sponsors; we have supplies and sky’s the limit especially on foods – from appetizers to desserts. I remember receiving deliveries of ice cream, canned goods, and rice – our garage was like a minimart. The fear of famine is not on us but rather the fear of how we will consume all these goods, but since Father and the foundation is generous enough, we shared all the these to those who are in need in our community. We repack all these items and distribute it the areas with full of hope and we considered a family to us.

Being in the foundation was like living the dream, father came from a well-to-do family but whatever we eat, it’s the same as what Father will eat. He eats steak, boneless bangus (yes, feeling ko mayaman ka before if you have it), and so are we. I love visiting our pantry and stockroom as it’s my first time seeing imported goods and the cache is, you can eat too, so long as he knows what you are taking and eating. Haha, sa dami nun, he wouldn’t know what’s missing! Hahaha Herford? Corned beef again, we already enjoyed that with hot pandesal back then.

Father would normally take you out-of-town for his house or building blessing, retreat, mass, visiting a friend and so many other purposes – this was awesome and being a promdi, you would appreciate every “broom” of his car. I have visited a lot of provinces in the Philippines because of him. A bit of a work but rest are for pleasure!

My first fight with Father

I left the foundation with a heavy heart. I know I did what is expected of me but due to some circumstances, I failed him in some way. I won’t lengthen the story, but I know Father is expecting more of me. It was a rainy Sunday when we were in RPN 9 for Sunday TV Mass. I couldn’t fill in the crowd seats and the only attendees were good enough to sit on the aisle to make it “daya” the camera and make it full of mass-goers in the TV. What can I do? It’s beyond my control and the community we invited that time was very apologetic that some didn’t make it. I was called by Father and the scuffle started. I felt embarrassed in front of so many people, so I decide to go home and pack my stuff and run away from the foundation.

My last encounter with Father

It was so many years when I left the foundation and heard that Father Sony was sick - stroke. I didn’t know at first how will I approach Father again since I left the foundation, but I know it’s about time to repent our misunderstanding before. Who am I to prolong my agony where I know this stranger to me before helped me and made me who I am now today? I was surprised that despite he’s sick, with so many happenings in life, he didn’t forget my name. I didn’t cry as I know in my heart, he didn’t take our misunderstanding as judgement of who we are before, but an encouragement to see it on a brighter side, no one is above anyone else. I felt I wasted so many years where I can make it more fruitful with him, his blessings and continuous guidance, even if I am no longer in the foundation. I am really sorry, Father!

Goodbye, Father!

I know this blog is not enough to thank you for everything, how you touched our lives and the others and continuing to be a blessing even if you’re gone. But I am no one without your help and forever guidance. I will forever treasure every moment you were with us, during the times I was in the foundation and even more in my heart now that you’re gone. Thank you and may you be happier with our Lord. Please watch over us until we meet again!

Thanks again Father and we love you!

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